Origin

Middle English (as a verb in the senses 'set upright' and 'guide, direct', hence 'write directions for delivery on' and 'direct spoken words to'): from Old French, based on Latinad- 'towards' + directus (see direct). The noun is of mid 16th-century origin in the sense 'act of approaching or speaking to someone'.

This was first used in the senses ‘set upright’ and ‘guide, direct’, which developed into ‘write directions for delivery on’ and ‘direct spoken words to’. The source is Latin ad- ‘towards’ and directus ‘put straight’. Direction (early 16th century) shares the same source.